Apparatus for controlling by using lens in wireless communication system

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a 5G (5th generation) or pre-5G communication system for supporting higher data transmission rates than a 4G (4th generation) communication system such as LTE (Long Term Evolution). According to various embodiments, a beamforming device in a wireless communication system comprises a phased array antenna, at least one wireless communication circuit, and a lens, wherein the lens comprises a first surface facing a first direction which is a direction toward the phased array antenna and a second surface facing a second direction opposite to the first direction, wherein a first beam radiated from the phased array antenna is refracted through a first point on the first surface, and the first beam forms a first path inside the lens and a second path that passes through the inside of the lens along the first path and is refracted through a second point on the second surface, and the angle of refraction at the second point may be formed depending on the radiation angle of the first beam.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to a wireless communication system, and more specifically to an apparatus for controlling a beam using a lens in a wireless communication system. Background Technology

[0003] 4G(4 th To meet the increasing demand for wireless data traffic following the commercialization of the (generation) communication system, improved 5G (5 th Efforts are being made to develop a 5G communication system or a pre-5G communication system. For this reason, the 5G communication system or the pre-5G communication system is referred to as a communication system beyond the 4G network or a post-LTE system.

[0004] To achieve high data transmission rates, 5G communication systems are being considered for implementation in the mmWave band (e.g., the 60 GHz band). To mitigate path loss and increase the transmission distance of radio waves in the mmWave band, beamforming, massive multi-input multi-output (massive MIMO), full-dimensional MIMO (FD-MIMO), array antenna, analog beamforming, and large-scale antenna technologies are being discussed for 5G communication systems.

[0005] In addition, to improve the network of the system, technologies such as advanced small cell, advanced small cell, cloud radio access network (cloud RAN), ultra-dense network, device-to-device communication (D2D), wireless backhaul, moving network, cooperative communication, CoMP (coordinated multi-points), and interference cancellation are being developed in 5G communication systems.

[0006] In addition, advanced coding modulation (ACM) methods such as FQAM (hybrid frequency shift keying and quadrature amplitude modulation) and SWSC (sliding window superposition coding), as well as advanced access technologies such as FBMC (filter bank multi carrier), NOMA (non orthogonal Multiple Access), and SCMA (sparse code multiple access), are being developed in 5G systems.

[0007] When using the mmWave frequency band in 5G systems, an increase in free space path loss and a reduction in diffraction occur; therefore, various technologies can be used in combination to address these issues. For example, a phased array antenna is a technology that enables real-time beam steering and beam gain enhancement through electrical control. Another example is the integrated lens antenna (ILA), which is a phased array antenna technology that allows for wide-angle steering by placing a lens in the antenna's radiation path. In this case, more effective use of the lens is required by considering the space required for lens installation, the beam gain enhancement achieved by the lens, and the beam steering angle achieved by the lens. The problem to be solved

[0009] Based on the discussion above, the present disclosure provides an apparatus for controlling the wide angle while satisfying beamforming gain using a lens in a wireless communication system.

[0010] In addition, the present disclosure provides a structure of an inner surface and an outer surface of a lens for controlling a wide angle in a wireless communication system.

[0011] In addition, the present disclosure provides an apparatus for controlling the angle of view in various frequency bands using a lens in a wireless communication system.

[0012] In addition, the present disclosure provides an apparatus for controlling the angle of view for any antenna using a lens in a wireless communication system. means of solving the problem

[0014] According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, a beamforming device in a wireless communication system comprises a phased array antenna, at least one wireless communication circuit, and a lens, wherein the lens comprises a first surface facing a first direction which is a direction toward the phased array antenna and a second surface facing a second direction opposite to the first direction, wherein a first beam radiated from the phased array antenna is refracted through a first point on the first surface, and the first beam forms a first path inside the lens and a second path that passes through the inside of the lens along the first path and is refracted through a second point on the second surface, and the angle of refraction at the second point may be formed depending on the radiation angle of the first beam. Effects of the invention

[0016] An apparatus according to various embodiments of the present disclosure enables the maximum steering range of a beam radiated through a lens having a specific structure to be widened while maintaining the gain of the beam.

[0017] The device according to various embodiments of the present disclosure enables efficient RF (radio frequency) device design by applying it regardless of the frequency band of the beam radiated through a lens having a specific structure and the type of antenna.

[0018] In addition, the effects obtainable through this document are not limited to those mentioned above, and other unmentioned effects will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art to which this disclosure belongs from the description below. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0020] FIG. 1 illustrates a wireless communication system according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 illustrates the configuration of a beamforming device in a wireless communication system according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. FIGS. 3a to 3c illustrate the configuration of a communication unit in a wireless communication system according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. FIGS. 4a to 4c illustrate the enhancement of signal gain through a lens in a wireless communication system according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 5 illustrates an example of incidence of a radiation signal of an electronic device onto the inner surface of a lens according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 6 illustrates an example of refraction of a radiation signal of an electronic device at the inner surface of a lens according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 7 illustrates an example of refraction of a radiation signal of an electronic device at the outer surface of a lens according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 8 illustrates an example of an antenna and a lens of an electronic device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 9 is a graph for showing performance according to lens arrangement according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. In relation to the description of the drawings, the same or similar reference numerals may be used for identical or similar components. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0021] The terms used in this disclosure are used merely to describe specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the scope of other embodiments. A singular expression may include a plural expression unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, may have the same meaning as generally understood by those skilled in the art described in this disclosure. Terms used in this disclosure that are defined in a general dictionary may be interpreted as having the same or similar meaning as they have in the context of the relevant technology, and are not to be interpreted in an ideal or overly formal sense unless explicitly defined in this disclosure. In some cases, even terms defined in this disclosure are not to be interpreted to exclude the embodiments of this disclosure.

[0022] In the various embodiments of the present disclosure described below, a hardware-based approach is described as an example. However, since the various embodiments of the present disclosure include techniques using both hardware and software, the various embodiments of the present disclosure do not exclude a software-based approach.

[0023] The present disclosure relates to an apparatus and method for performing beamforming through a lens in a wireless communication system. Specifically, the present disclosure describes a technique for increasing beamforming gain by widening the area where a beam formed in an antenna array in a wireless communication system is projected onto a lens.

[0024] Terms used in the following description to refer to signals (symbol, stream, data, beamforming signal), terms related to beams (multi-beam, multiple beams, single beam, dual beam, quad-beam, beamforming), terms referring to network entities, and terms referring to device components (antenna array, antenna element, communication unit, antenna), etc., are provided as examples for the convenience of explanation. Accordingly, the present disclosure is not limited to the terms described below, and other terms having equivalent technical meanings may be used.

[0025] Additionally, the present disclosure describes various embodiments using terms used in some communication standards (e.g., 3GPP (3rd Generation Partnership Project)), but this is merely illustrative. Various embodiments of the present disclosure can be easily modified and applied to other communication systems.

[0027] FIG. 1 illustrates a wireless communication system according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 1 illustrates a wireless communication system according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 1 illustrates a base station (110-1), a base station (110-2), and a terminal (120) as part of the nodes utilizing a wireless channel in a wireless communication system. FIG. 1 illustrates two base stations, but other base stations identical or similar to base station (110-1) and base station (110-2) may be additionally included. Additionally, FIG. 1 illustrates only one terminal, but other terminals identical or similar to terminal (120) may be additionally included.

[0028] Base stations (110-1) and (110-2) are network infrastructures that provide wireless access to terminals (120). Base stations (110-1) and (110-2) have coverage defined as a specific geographical area based on the distance at which signals can be transmitted. Each of base stations (110-1) and (110-2) may be referred to as an 'access point (AP)', 'eNodeB (eNB)', '5th generation node', 'wireless point', 'transmission / reception point (TRP)', or other terms having an equivalent technical meaning, in addition to being a base station.

[0029] A terminal (120) is a device used by a user and performs communication with a base station (110-1) and a base station (110-2) via a wireless channel. The terminal (120) may have mobility or be a fixed device. In some cases, the terminal (120) may be operated without user involvement. For example, the terminal (120) may be a device that performs machine type communication (MTC) and may not be carried by the user. The terminal (120) may be referred to as 'user equipment (UE)', 'mobile station', 'subscriber station', 'remote terminal', 'wireless terminal', 'electronic device', 'user device', 'customer premise equipment (CPE)', or other terms having an equivalent technical meaning.

[0030] Base station (110-1), base station (110-2), and terminal (120) can transmit and receive wireless signals in a millimeter wave (mmWave) band (e.g., 28 GHz, 30 GHz, 38 GHz, 60 GHz). At this time, to improve channel gain, base station (110-1), base station (110-2), and terminal (120) can perform beamforming. Here, beamforming may include transmission beamforming and reception beamforming. That is, base station (110-1), base station (110-2), and terminal (120) can impart directivity to the transmitted signal or the received signal. To this end, the base station (110-1), base station (110-2), and terminal (120) can select serving beams (112, 113, 121, 131) through a beam search or beam management procedure. After the serving beams (112, 113, 121, 131) are selected, subsequent communication can be performed through a resource that is in a quasi-co-located (QCL) relationship with the resource that transmitted the serving beams (112, 113, 121, 131).

[0031] If large-scale characteristics of the channel transmitting the symbol on the first antenna port can be inferred from the channel transmitting the symbol on the second antenna port, the first antenna port and the second antenna port may be evaluated to have a QCL relationship. For example, the large-scale characteristics may include at least one of a delay spread, a Doppler spread, a Doppler shift, an average gain, an average delay, and a spatial receiver parameter.

[0033] FIG. 2 illustrates the configuration of a beamforming device in a wireless communication system according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. The configuration exemplified in FIG. 2 can be understood as the configuration of a terminal (120). Terms such as 'unit' and 'unit' used below refer to a unit that processes at least one function or operation, and this may be implemented in hardware or software, or a combination of hardware and software.

[0034] Referring to FIG. 2, the beamforming device includes an antenna array (220), a communication unit (210), a lens (230), a storage unit (240), and a control unit (250).

[0035] The communication unit (210) performs functions for transmitting and receiving signals through a wireless channel. For example, the communication unit (210) performs a conversion function between a baseband signal and a bit sequence according to the physical layer specifications of the system. For example, when transmitting data, the communication unit (210) generates complex symbols by encoding and modulating the transmitted bit sequence. Also, when receiving data, the communication unit (210) restores the received bit sequence by demodulating and decoding the baseband signal. Additionally, the communication unit (210) upconverts the baseband signal into an RF band signal and transmits it through an antenna, and downconverts the RF band signal received through the antenna into a baseband signal. For example, the communication unit (210) may include a transmission filter, a reception filter, an amplifier, a mixer, an oscillator, a DAC, an ADC, etc.

[0036] Additionally, the communication unit (210) may include a plurality of transmission and reception paths. In terms of hardware, the communication unit (210) may be composed of digital circuits and analog circuits (e.g., RFIC (radio frequency integrated circuit)). Here, the digital circuits and analog circuits may be implemented as a single package. Additionally, the communication unit (210) may include a plurality of RF chains. Furthermore, the communication unit (210) may perform beamforming.

[0037] The communication unit (210) transmits and receives signals as described above. Accordingly, all or part of the communication unit (210) may be referred to as a 'transmitter', a 'receiver', or a 'transmitter / receiver'. Additionally, in the following description, transmission and reception performed via a wireless channel are used to mean that processing as described above is performed by the communication unit (210).

[0038] The antenna array (220) radiates a signal generated by the communication unit (210) or receives a signal transmitted from the outside. The antenna array (220) may include a plurality of antenna elements. The directionality of the signal may be assigned by the phase values ​​of the signals transmitted through the plurality of antenna elements. That is, the antenna array (220) can perform beamforming through the phase values. According to various embodiments, signals transmitted from the antenna array (220) may be radiated through a plurality of beams corresponding to a plurality of directions.

[0039] The lens (230) is a component for controlling the gain of a signal radiated from the antenna array (220) or a signal transmitted from the outside. For example, the lens (230) may be a passive element in which the gain is controlled as the signal passes through. Additionally, for example, the lens (230) may be an active element for adaptively controlling the gain according to the signal.

[0040] The lens (230) may be composed of a plurality of unit cells (UCs). Specifically, the lens (230) may include a plurality of unit cells, and each of the plurality of unit cells may have a unique dielectric rate or a unique shape. Here, the dielectric rate of each unit cell may be determined according to the type of material (e.g., dielectric) constituting the unit cell, and the shape and size of the material (e.g., conductor) included in the unit cell. Depending on the dielectric rate of the unit cell, the value for compensating the phase of the component of the beam (e.g., radio wave component) incident on the unit cell may vary. In terms of an equivalent circuit, each unit cell may be interpreted as a circuit including at least one capacitor or at least one inductor. According to various embodiments, the lens (230) may be composed of a plurality of layers. Additionally, the lens (230) may have various shapes. For example, the lens (230) may have a flat structure, that is, a flat plane, a circular plane, or a divided circular plane. As another example, the lens (230) may have a square shape or an octagonal shape.

[0041] The storage unit (240) stores data such as basic programs, application programs, and setting information for the operation of the beamforming device. The storage unit (240) may be composed of volatile memory, non-volatile memory, or a combination of volatile and non-volatile memory. The storage unit (240) provides the stored data upon request from the control unit (250). According to various embodiments, the storage unit (240) may store a phase profile (e.g., a phase pattern) for controlling a beam using a lens.

[0042] The control unit (250) controls the overall operations of the beamforming device. For example, the control unit (250) transmits and receives signals through the communication unit (210). Additionally, the control unit (250) writes and reads data in the storage unit (240). Furthermore, the control unit (250) can perform the functions of the protocol stack required by the communication standard. To this end, the control unit (250) may include at least one processor or microprocessor, or be part of a processor. Additionally, part of the communication unit (210) and the control unit (250) may be referred to as a communication processor (CP). According to various embodiments, the control unit (250) may control the communication unit (210) to perform beamforming by applying a phase pattern to form a plurality of beams (hereinafter multi-beams) (hereinafter multi-beamforming). Here, multi-beam refers to a plurality of beams that point in multiple directions, rather than a single beam that points in a single direction, formed during beamforming. For example, the control unit (250) can control the beamforming device to perform operations according to various embodiments described below.

[0043] FIGS. 3a through 3c illustrate the configuration of a communication unit in a wireless communication system according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. FIGS. 3a through 3c illustrate examples of detailed configurations of the communication unit (210) of FIG. 2. Specifically, FIGS. 3a through 3c illustrate components for performing beamforming as part of the communication unit (210) of FIG. 2.

[0044] Referring to FIG. 3a, the communication unit (210) includes an encoding and modulation unit (302), a digital beamforming unit (304), a plurality of transmission paths (306-1 to 306-N), and an analog beamforming unit (308).

[0045] The encoding and modulation unit (302) performs channel encoding. For channel encoding, at least one of a low density parity check (LDPC) code, a convolution code, and a polar code may be used. The encoding and modulation unit (302) generates modulation symbols by performing contellation mapping.

[0046] The digital beamforming unit (304) performs beamforming on a digital signal (e.g., modulation symbols). To do this, the digital beamforming unit (304) multiplies the modulation symbols by beamforming weights. Here, the beamforming weights are used to change the magnitude and phase of the signal and may be referred to as a 'precoding matrix', 'precoder', etc. The digital beamforming unit (304) outputs the digitally beamformed modulation symbols to multiple transmission paths (306-1 to 306-N). At this time, according to the MIMO (multiple input multiple output) transmission technique, the modulation symbols may be multiplexed, or the same modulation symbols may be provided to multiple transmission paths (306-1 to 306-N).

[0047] Multiple transmission paths (306-1 to 306-N) convert digitally beamformed digital signals into analog signals. To this end, each of the multiple transmission paths (306-1 to 306-N) may include an inverse fast Fourier transform (IFFT) operation unit, a cyclic prefix (CP) insertion unit, a DAC, and an up-conversion unit. The CP insertion unit is intended for orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) and may be excluded when other physical layer methods (e.g., filter bank multi-carrier (FBMC)) are applied. That is, the multiple transmission paths (306-1 to 306-N) provide independent signal processing processes for multiple streams generated through digital beamforming. However, depending on the implementation method, some of the components of the multiple transmission paths (306-1 to 306-N) may be used in common.

[0048] The analog beamforming unit (308) performs beamforming on the analog signal. To do this, the digital beamforming unit (304) multiplies the analog signals by beamforming weights. Here, the beamforming weights are used to change the magnitude and phase of the signal. Specifically, depending on the connection structure between the multiple transmission paths (306-1 to 306-N) and antennas, the analog beamforming unit (308) may be configured as shown in FIG. 3b or FIG. 3c.

[0049] Referring to FIG. 3b, signals input to the analog beamforming unit (308) undergo phase / magnitude conversion and amplification operations and are transmitted through antennas. At this time, the signals of each path are transmitted through different sets of antennas, i.e., antenna arrays. Looking at the processing of the signal input through the first path, the signal is converted into a signal sequence having different or the same phase / magnitude by phase / magnitude conversion units (312-1-1 to 312-1-M), amplified by amplifiers (314-1-1 to 314-1-M), and then transmitted through antennas.

[0050] Referring to FIG. 3c, signals input to the analog beamforming unit (308) undergo phase / magnitude conversion and amplification operations and are transmitted through antennas. At this time, the signals of each path are transmitted through the same set of antennas, that is, the antenna array. Looking at the processing of the signal input through the first path, the signal is converted into a signal sequence having different or the same phase / magnitude by phase / magnitude conversion units (312-1-1 to 312-1-M) and amplified by amplifiers (314-1-1 to 314-1-M). Then, in order to be transmitted through a single antenna array, the amplified signals are summed by summing units (316-1-1 to 316-1-M) based on antenna elements and then transmitted through the antennas.

[0051] The phase / magnitude values ​​converted by the phase / magnitude conversion units (312-1-1 to 312-1-M) illustrated in FIGS. 3b and 3c may include phase / magnitude values ​​for controlling the directionality of the beam and phase / magnitude values ​​for forming a plurality of beams (i.e., multi-beams). The phase / magnitude values ​​for forming a plurality of beams refer to phase / magnitude values ​​for beamforming that provide spatially distinct directions by generating shaded regions where the phase is canceled out in the shape of the beams being formed. At this time, the number of beams being formed may be adjusted to control the gain, for example, based on the channel, or adjusted to increase the gain enhancement effect by the lens. According to one embodiment, phase / magnitude values ​​for forming a multi-beam to increase the gain enhancement effect by the lens can be used as reference phase / magnitude values ​​of phase / magnitude conversion units (312-1-1 to 312-1-M), that is, as default setting values ​​of phase / magnitude conversion units (312-1-1 to 312-1-M).

[0052] FIG. 3b illustrates an example where independent antenna arrays are used for each transmission path, and FIG. 3c illustrates an example where transmission paths share a single antenna array. However, according to another embodiment, some transmission paths may use independent antenna arrays, and the remaining transmission paths may share a single antenna array. Furthermore, according to yet another embodiment, a structure that can adaptively change depending on the situation may be used by applying a switchable structure between transmission paths and antenna arrays.

[0053] According to the configuration of the beamforming device (e.g., terminal (120)) described with reference to FIGS. 2 and FIGS. 3a to 3c, the beamforming device can improve the gain of a signal radiated from an antenna array or a signal received by an antenna array using a lens. Similarly, a base station (e.g., base station (110-1) or base station (110-2)) may also be equipped with at least one lens. Furthermore, according to various embodiments, the base station may include a lens of the structure described below. Accordingly, the embodiments related to the lens described below are described based on a terminal for convenience of explanation, but the various embodiments described below may be applied not only to base stations but also to any device performing beamforming.

[0055] By using a lens (e.g., lens (230)), the gain of the signal can be improved. The lens can increase the gain of the antenna by changing the phase profile of the EM (electronic magnetic) wave in space to be in phase. The principle of increasing signal gain by a lens is explained below through FIGS. 4a to 4c. FIGS. 4a to 4c illustrate the improvement of signal gain through a lens in a wireless communication system according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0056] Referring to FIG. 4a, a signal radiated from an antenna array (220) passes through a lens (230). The beam (404) passing through the lens (230) may have a narrower beam width than the beam (402) radiated from the antenna array (220). As the beam components for forming the beam (404) overlap more within a specific space, the phase is increased. The enhancement of signal gain by the lens (230) is achieved by converting the in-phase plane from the surface of a sphere to a plane. That is, the phase of each component of the radiated signal can be converted to in-phase on the plane of the lens (230). Specifically, since the beam generated from the antenna array (220) is radiated from the center of the antenna, i.e., the focus of the beam, an in-phase plane is formed on the surface of a sphere centered on that focus. At this time, the lens (230) converts the in-phase plane into a plane using unit cells.

[0057] As shown in FIG. 4b, given the radius of the lens (230) and the spacing between the lens (230) and the antenna array (220), the maximum phase difference of the signal observed on the surface of the lens (230) is as follows <Equation 1>.

[0058]

[0059] The above Φ max is the maximum phase difference, above represents the wavelength, D represents the radius of the lens, and F represents the distance between the lens and the antenna array.

[0060] The change in the phase profile of the beam radiated from the antenna array (220) is as shown in FIG. 4c. In FIG. 4c, graph (432) represents the phase profile of the beam radiated from the antenna array (220) in a plane (e.g., the surface of the lens (230) or a plane parallel to the surface of the lens (230), graph (434) represents the phase profile of the lens (230), and graph (436) represents the in-phase profile of the beam passing through the lens (230). As shown in graph (432), as the distance n from the center of the plane increases, the phase difference from the center increases. Therefore, as shown in graph (434), the lens (230) is designed so that the phase difference from the center decreases as the distance from the center increases, in order to compensate for a phase profile like that of graph (432). Accordingly, the phase profile of the beam passing through the lens (230) has in-phase or substantially in-phase in the plane, as shown in graph (436).

[0062] FIG. 5 illustrates an example of incidence of a radiation signal of an electronic device onto the inner surface of a lens according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In FIG. 5, various variables for interpreting the incidence path are defined through a cross-section of the lens. Hereinafter, FIG. 5 illustrates a lens structure in which the inner surface is an ellipsoid and the outer surface is a sphere to define the various variables, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the inner surface of the lens may be an ellipsoid and the outer surface may also have the shape of an ellipsoid. As another example, the inner surface of the lens may be a sphere and the outer surface may also have the shape of a sphere. As yet another example, the inner surface of the lens may be a sphere and the outer surface may also have the shape of an ellipsoid. As yet another example, the inner surface and the outer surface of the lens may be configured to include parts of the three-dimensional structures described above.

[0063] Referring to FIG. 5, the electronic device (500) may include an antenna (510) and a lens (520). The description of the beamforming device of FIG. 2 may also apply to the electronic device (500). For example, the antenna (510) may be understood as identical to the antenna array (220) of FIG. 2, and the lens (520) may be understood as identical to the lens (230) of FIG. 2. Additionally, for convenience of explanation, FIG. 5 illustrates the electronic device (500) based on the xy plane viewed on the z-axis.

[0064] The antenna (510) may be positioned at the origin, which is the point of contact between the x-axis and the y-axis. For example, the center of the antenna (510) may be positioned at the origin. Additionally, according to one embodiment, the antenna (510) may be a phased array antenna. A phased array antenna may include antenna elements arranged in a specific array. Beamforming technology using a phased array antenna is a high-gain antenna technology capable of beam steering by changing the phase through electrical control for each antenna element. According to one embodiment, the center of the phased array antenna may coincide with the center of the lens (520). According to one embodiment, the phased array antenna may include antenna elements arranged in various shapes. For example, the phased array antenna may be configured linearly. As another example, the phased array antenna may be configured planarly. As yet another example, the phased array antenna may be configured in a tridimensional structure.

[0065] According to one embodiment, the radiation angle (511) of a beam radiated from an antenna (510) can be adjusted through beam steering. A phased array antenna can form a plurality of beams. Each beam may include a main lobe and a side lobe, and the radiation angle (511) may be determined based on the direction of the beam having the highest beam gain by the synthesis of the main lobe and side lobe of the plurality of beams. In FIG. 5, the radiation angle (511) may mean the angle from the first beam (512) to the y-axis, which is the central axis of the antenna (510).

[0066] The center of the lens (520) can be positioned in a straight line with respect to the center of the antenna (510). For example, referring to FIG. 5, the lens (520) may exist in a left-right symmetrical structure with respect to the y-axis, and in this case, the center of the lens (520) may be a point where the y-axis and the lens (520) meet. Thus, the center of the lens (520) and the center of the antenna (510) can be positioned in a straight line.

[0067] The lens (520) may include at least one layer of dielectric material. According to one embodiment, the lens (520) may include a single dielectric material having a single layer. When the lens (520) includes a single dielectric material, dielectric loss that may be formed due to material non-uniformity is reduced, thereby preserving the gain of the passing beam compared to a lens (520) that includes multiple dielectric materials. Additionally, compared to a lens (520) that uses multiple dielectric materials, it can be produced more easily and the space occupied by the lens (520) can be reduced. Meanwhile, according to another embodiment, the lens (520) may include multiple dielectric materials having multiple layers. In this case, according to an additional embodiment, the multiple dielectric materials having multiple layers may have different refractive indices.

[0068] Referring to FIG. 5, the lens (520) may include a first surface (530) and a second surface (540). The first surface (530) may correspond to the inner surface of the lens (520) as a surface positioned in the first direction toward the antenna (510) in the lens (520) positioned on the radiation path of the antenna (510). The second surface (540) may correspond to the outer surface of the lens (520) as a surface positioned in the second direction opposite to the first direction. According to one embodiment, the first surface (530) and the second surface (540) may correspond to one surface of a three-dimensional figure. For example, the first surface (530) may correspond to one surface of an ellipsoidal figure, and the second surface (540) may correspond to one surface of a spherical figure. In the following description, for convenience of explanation, the first surface (530) is assumed to be one surface of an ellipsoid and the second surface (540) is assumed to be one surface of a sphere, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0069] As shown in FIG. 5, when there is a gap (534) (hereinafter referred to as the first gap) from the origin corresponding to the center of the antenna (510) to the center (531) of the first surface (530), the equation for the first surface (530) is as follows <Equation 2>.

[0070]

[0071] In the above <Mathematical Formula 2>, r1 represents the first radius (532) with the minimum length at the radius of the first surface (530), r2 represents the second radius (533) with the maximum length at the radius of the first surface (530), and r3 represents the first interval (534).

[0072] Referring to FIG. 5, the first plane (530) is one plane of an ellipsoid, and r1 and r2 may correspond to the minor and major axes of the first plane (530), respectively. Additionally, r3 may represent the distance between the center of the first plane (530) and the antenna (510).

[0073] In addition, if there is a gap (543) (hereinafter referred to as the second gap) from the center (531) of the first surface (530) to the center (541) of the second surface (540), the equation for the second surface (540) is as follows <Equation 3>.

[0074]

[0075] The above r3 represents the first interval (534), the above l1 represents the third radius (542) of the second surface (540), and the above l2 represents the second interval (543) from the center (531) of the first surface (530) to the center (541) of the second surface (540).

[0076] According to one embodiment, when the coordinates of the first point (521) are denoted as (x1,y1), the equation for the correlation between the x-coordinate and the y-coordinate of the first point (521) is as follows <Equation 4>.

[0077]

[0078] The above x1 is the x-coordinate value of the first point (521), the above y1 is the y-coordinate value of the first point (521), the above p1 represents the radiation angle (511) which is the angle between the first beam (512) and the y-axis.

[0079] Substituting the value of the above <Equation 4> into <Equation 2> and rearranging it yields <Equation 5> below.

[0080]

[0081] The above x1 is the x-coordinate value of the first point (521), the above y1 is the y-coordinate value of the first point (521), the above p1 represents a radiation angle (511) that is an angle between the first beam (512) and the y-axis, r1 is the first radius (532) at which the length is minimum in the radius of the first surface (530), r2 is the second radius (533) at which the length is maximum in the radius of the first surface (530), and r3 is the first interval (534).

[0082] According to one embodiment, the lens (520) includes a first surface (530) and a second surface (540), each corresponding to one surface of an ellipsoid and one surface of a sphere. Additionally, the antenna (510) may be placed in the internal space formed by the first surface (530) of the lens (520), and the center of the antenna (510) may be placed on the y-axis where the center of the lens (520) exists. The above <Equation 4> represents the correlation at the first point (521) existing on the first surface (530) of the lens (520), but this may mean the path of the first beam (512) radiated from the antenna (510) before it is incident on the first surface (530).

[0084] FIG. 6 illustrates an example of refraction of a radiation signal of an electronic device at the inner surface of a lens according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In FIG. 6, various variables for interpreting the incident path are defined through a cross-section of the lens. Hereinafter, FIG. 6 illustrates a lens structure in which the inner surface is an ellipsoid and the outer surface is a sphere to define the various variables, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the inner surface of the lens may be an ellipsoid and the outer surface may also have the shape of an ellipsoid. As another example, the inner surface of the lens may be a sphere and the outer surface may also have the shape of a sphere. As yet another example, the inner surface of the lens may be a sphere and the outer surface may also have the shape of an ellipsoid. As yet another example, the inner surface and the outer surface of the lens may be configured to include parts of the three-dimensional structures described above.

[0085] Referring to FIG. 6, a first beam (512) radiated from an antenna (510) can pass through a first point (521) on a first surface (530) and enter the interior of a lens (520). The first beam (512) can be refracted by a dielectric having at least one layer of the lens (520) to have a directivity of a first path (513). Depending on the direction of the first path (513), an angle of incidence (521a) at the first point (521) and an angle of refraction (521b) at the first point (521) are defined. Hereinafter, when the refracted first path (513) enters the interior of the lens (520), the path inside the lens (520) is explained by the following <Equation 6> to <Equation 11>.

[0086] If we differentiate and rearrange <Equation 2>, which is the equation for the first surface (530), with respect to x, it is as follows <Equation 6>.

[0087]

[0088] The above r1 is the first radius (532) with the minimum length at the radius of the first surface (530), the above r2 is the second radius (533) with the maximum length at the radius of the first surface (530), the above r3 is the first interval (534), and the above dy / dx means differentiation of y with respect to x.

[0089] Also, referring to FIG. 6, if the obtuse angle formed by the tangent line at the first point (521) and the x-axis is called the first angle (550), the relationship between the first angle (550) and the above-described <Equation 6> is as follows <Equation 7>.

[0090]

[0091] The above x1 is the first radius (532) at which the length is minimum in the radius of the first surface (530), the above r2 is the second radius (533) at which the length is maximum in the radius of the first surface (530), the above r3 is the first interval (534), the above dy / dx is the differentiation of y with respect to x, the above p2 means the first angle (550).

[0092] When referring to the above-described <Mathematical Formula 7>, if the value of the first angle (550) is determined through the coordinates of the first radius (532) and the second radius (532) of the first surface (530) and the first point (521), the angle of incidence (521a) at the first point (521) can be determined through the following <Mathematical Formula 8>.

[0093]

[0094] The above p1 is the radiation angle (511) which is the angle between the first beam (512) and the y-axis, the above p2 is the first angle (550), above i1 represents the angle of incidence (521a) at the first point (521).

[0095] In addition, the angle of refraction (521b) at the first point (521) is determined by the angle of incidence (521a) at the first point (521) and the refractive index of the lens (520), as shown in <Equation 9> below.

[0096]

[0097] The above t1 The angle of refraction (521b) at the first point (521), the above i1 is the angle of incidence (521a) at the first point (521), the above n t represents the refractive index of the lens (520), and <Equation 9> is based on Snell's law.

[0098] If the acute angle formed by the straight line parallel to the x-axis at the first point (521) and the refracted first path (513) is called the second angle (560), the internal path of the lens (520) of the refracted first path (513) can be determined by the second angle (560). At this time, the second angle (560) can be determined by the following <Equation 10>.

[0099]

[0100] The above c2 is the second angle (560), above t1 The angle of refraction (521b) at the first point (521), the above p2 is the first angle (550), above of represents the ratio of a circle's circumference to its diameter. The unit of the above ratio of a circle's circumference to its diameter is radians.

[0101] When considering the second angle (560) specified by the above-described <Equation 10>, the path inside the lens (520) of the refracted first path (513) passing through the first point (521) is as follows <Equation 11>.

[0102]

[0103] The above c2 is the second angle (560), where x1 is the x-coordinate value of the first point (521) and y1 is the y-coordinate value of the first point (521).

[0104] As described above, the first beam (512) is refracted as it is incident on the first surface (530) of the lens (520), and thereby a refracted first path (513) is formed. The path of the refracted first path (513) disclosed in <Equation 11> may be changed according to the radiation angle (511) of the first beam (512), the structure (e.g., radius, curvature, etc.) and refractive index of the first surface (530) and the second surface (540) of the lens (520).

[0105] In FIG. 6, the lens is depicted as having a single refractive index assuming a single layer, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. According to one embodiment, the lens (520) may include multiple layers instead of a single layer. In this case, the permittivity of at least two layers may be configured differently. Accordingly, by using the mathematical formula described above, it may be possible to design a lens through refraction in the beam direction between different layers.

[0107] FIG. 7 illustrates an example of refraction of a radiation signal of an electronic device at the outer surface of a lens according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In FIG. 7, various variables for interpreting the incident path are defined through a cross-section of the lens. Hereinafter, FIG. 7 illustrates a lens structure in which the inner surface is an ellipsoid and the outer surface is a sphere to define the various variables, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the inner surface of the lens may be an ellipsoid and the outer surface may also have the shape of an ellipsoid. As another example, the inner surface of the lens may be a sphere and the outer surface may also have the shape of a sphere. As yet another example, the inner surface of the lens may be a sphere and the outer surface may also have the shape of an ellipsoid. As yet another example, the inner surface and the outer surface of the lens may be configured to include parts of the three-dimensional structures described above.

[0108] Referring to FIG. 7, a signal radiated from an antenna (510) of an electronic device may be refracted as it passes through the interior of a lens (520) and is radiated to the exterior of the lens (520). For example, as a beam of the refracted first path (513) passes through a second point (522) of a second surface (540) and is radiated to the exterior of the lens (520), the beam refracted by a dielectric having at least one layer of the lens (520) may be refracted again. The beam may be radiated to a second path (514) by passing through the first surface (530) and the second surface (540). Additionally, according to the second path (514), an angle of incidence (522a) at the second point (522) and an angle of refraction (522b) at the second point (522) may be defined. In the following, the curvature of the second path (514) and the first surface (530) and the second surface (540) is explained by the following <Equation 12> to <Equation 16>.

[0109] The third angle (570) is the acute angle formed by the straight line connecting the center (541) of the second surface (540) of the lens (520) to the second point (522) and the straight line parallel to the x-axis from the center (541) of the second surface (540). The angle of incidence (522a) at the second point (522), determined by the third angle (570) and the second angle (560), is as follows <Equation 12>.

[0110]

[0111] The above i2 is the angle of incidence (522a) at the second point (522), above c2 is the second angle (560), above c1 This means the third angle (570).

[0112] In addition, the angle of refraction (522b) at the second point (522) is determined by the angle of incidence (522a) at the second point (522) and the refractive index of the lens (520), as shown in <Equation 13> below.

[0113]

[0114] The above t2 is the angle of refraction (522b) at the second point (522), the above n t represents the refractive index of the lens (520), and <Equation 13> is based on Snell's law. At this time, the angle of refraction (522b) of the second point (522) may be greater than or equal to the angle of radiation (511) of the first beam (512) radiated from the antenna (510). For example, if the angle of radiation (511) is 0°, the angle of refraction (522b) is equal to 0°, and if the angle of radiation (511) is greater than 0°, the angle of refraction (522b) is greater than the angle of radiation (511).

[0115] Referring to FIG. 7, the path when the second beam (514) is radiated outside the lens (520) is determined by the acute angle formed by the second beam (514) and the line parallel to the x-axis at the second point (522), and the coordinates at the second point (522). The path of the second beam (514) is as follows <Equation 14>.

[0116]

[0117] The above c1 The third angle (570), above t2 represents the angle of refraction (522b) at the second point (522), where x2 is the x-coordinate value of the second point (522) and y2 is the y-coordinate value of the second point (522).

[0118] The second path (514) disclosed in the above-described <Mathematical Formula 14> refers to the path radiated to the outside of the lens (520) of the first beam (512) radiated from the antenna (510).

[0119] In relation to the second path (514) of the first beam (512) described above, total reflection may occur if the angle of refraction (522b) becomes excessively large. According to Snell's law, if the angle of incidence (522a) exceeds the critical angle, the second path (514) may be formed along the second surface (540) of the lens (520).

[0121] FIGS. 5 to 7 describe the process in which a beam radiated from an antenna (510) passes through a lens (520), is refracted, and radiates to the outside of the lens (520). Summarizing the contents of FIGS. 5 to 7, the path through which the beam is radiated to the outside of the lens (520), i.e., the second path (514), can be determined by the following causes.

[0122] According to one embodiment, the radiation angle (511) of the antenna (510) and the refractive index inside the lens (520) can be adjusted so that the angle of incidence (521a) and the angle of refraction (521b) at the first angle (560) and the first point (521) can be adjusted. According to one embodiment, the angle of incidence (522a) and the angle of refraction (522b) at the second point (522) can be adjusted so that the radiation angle (511) of the antenna (510) and the refractive index inside the lens (520) can be adjusted.

[0123] According to one embodiment, as the curvature of the first surface (530) and the second surface (540) of the lens (520) is adjusted, the angle of refraction radiated outward from the lens (520) (e.g., the angle of refraction (522b) at the second point (522)) can be adjusted. Although not disclosed in the drawings, the structure of the lens (520) can be determined by the curvature of the first surface (530) and the second surface (540) of the lens (520). To determine the structure of the lens (520), the curvature of the first surface (530) of the lens (520) can be determined by the following <Equation 15>, and the curvature of the second surface (540) of the lens (520) can be determined by the following <Equation 16>.

[0124]

[0125] The above r1 is the first radius (532) of the first surface (530), the above r2 is the second radius (533) of the first surface (530), the above p1 represents the radiation angle (511) of the first beam (512) radiated from the antenna (510).

[0126]

[0127] The above l1 means the third radius (542) of the second surface (540).

[0128] As mentioned in <Equation 15>, the curvature of the first surface (530) of the lens (520) can be determined by the first radius (532), the second radius (533), and the radiation angle (511). At this time, the slope at the first point (521) varies depending on the curvature of the first surface (530). Referring to <Equation 7>, the curvature of the first surface (530) can affect the first angle (550). Referring to <Equation 8>, as the first angle (550) is adjusted, the angle of incidence (521a) at the first point (521) can be adjusted. Also, as mentioned in <Equation 16>, the curvature of the second surface (540) of the lens (520) can be determined by the third radius (542). At this time, the curvature of the second surface (540) is determined by the third radius (542). Depending on the third radius (542) of the second surface (540), the position of the point where the beam along the first path (513) refracted enters the second surface (540), i.e., the second point (522), changes. Therefore, the curvature of the second surface (540) can affect the third angle (570) and the angle of incidence (522a) at the second point (522). Accordingly, as the curvature of the first surface (530) and the second surface (540) of the lens (520) is adjusted, the angle of refraction radiated outward from the lens (520) can be adjusted.

[0129] That is, when designing the lens (520), the principle described above can be applied to design the curvature of each surface. For example, if one wants to increase the first radius (532) of the first surface (530) while maintaining the curvature at a specific point, the second radius (533) of the first surface (530) and the radiation angle (511) of the first beam (512) can be adjusted so that a lens with a different structure can be created while maintaining the curvature at a specific point of the first surface (530). Furthermore, depending on the thickness of the lens (520), the point where the beam passing through the first surface (530) enters the second surface (540) changes. For example, assuming that the existing first path (513) is maintained, if the thickness of the lens (520) is reduced—that is, if the third radius (542) of the second surface (540) is shortened—the second point (522) can be formed closer to the first point (521) than before. Accordingly, the angle of incidence (522a) and the angle of refraction (522b) at the third angle (570) and the second point (522) may change. For example, if the thickness of the lens (520) is designed to be thin, the second path (514) of the lens (520) may change; thus, by taking this into account and adjusting the refractive index of the dielectric of the lens (520), a lens can be designed to form the same angle of refraction (522b) as before.

[0130] In the following, in an electronic device comprising an antenna (510) and a lens (520), the gain of a beam radiated outside the lens (520) according to the radiation angle of a beam radiated from the antenna (510) is described.

[0132] FIG. 8 illustrates an example of an antenna and a lens of an electronic device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 9 is a graph for showing performance according to a lens arrangement according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0134] Referring to FIG. 8, the electronic device (800) may include an antenna (810) and a lens (820). In this case, the center of the antenna (810) may be positioned at the point where the x-axis and the y-axis meet, i.e., the origin. Additionally, a lens (820) may be positioned on the radiation path of the antenna (810), comprising an inner surface positioned in a direction adjacent to the antenna (810) and an outer surface positioned in a direction opposite to it. Each θ may refer to the angle formed by the beam radiated from the antenna (810) with the y-axis. At this time, the angle θ can mean the angle formed by the main lobe and the y-axis when the beam radiated from the antenna (810) includes a main lobe and a side lobe.

[0135] Additionally, FIG. 8 is a drawing showing an electronic device (800) viewed on the z-axis by cutting a solid shape formed by rotating the electronic device (500) illustrated in FIG. 5 to 7 360° with respect to the y-axis with respect to the xy-plane. The description of the electronic device (500) in FIG. 5 to 7 can be applied in the same way to the electronic device (800) in FIG. 8. For example, the lens (820) can be understood as being the same as the lens (520) in FIG. 5 to 7.

[0137] FIG. 9 shows the case where a beam radiated from an antenna (810) is refracted and radiated outward as it passes through a lens (820) containing a single dielectric (e.g., permittivity = 3.7, dielectric loss = 0.02), with respect to the y-axis. The gain of the radiated beam at a point located at a distance of is illustrated. The beam radiated from the antenna (810) includes a main lobe and a side lobe, and the gain of the beam can be determined by the sum of the main lobe and the side lobe. Accordingly, FIG. 9 shows the radiation angle, which is the angle that the main lobe makes with the y-axis (e.g., FIG. 8). The gain of the beam formed while changing ) is illustrated.

[0138] Referring to FIG. 9, the first graph (901) is based on the y-axis when the radiation angle of the main lobe of the beam radiated from the antenna (810) is 0°. It represents the gain of the beam at. The second graph (903) is based on the y-axis when the radiation angle of the main lobe of the beam radiated from the antenna (810) is 30°. It represents the gain of the beam at. The third graph (905) is based on the y-axis when the radiation angle of the main lobe of the beam radiated from the antenna (810) is 60°. It represents the gain of the beam at. The fourth graph (907) is based on the y-axis when the radiation angle of the main lobe of the beam radiated from the antenna (810) is 82°. Represents the gain of the beam at.

[0139] Referring to the first graph (901), when the radiation angle of the main lobe of the beam radiated from the antenna (810) (hereinafter, the "radiation angle of the main lobe" is referred to as the "radiation angle") is 0°, the gain of the beam refracted while passing through the lens (820) is It can be confirmed that it reaches a maximum of approximately 7.5 dBi at the point where it is approximately 0°. Additionally, referring to the second graph (903), when the radiation angle of the beam radiated from the antenna (810) is 30°, the gain of the beam refracted while passing through the lens (820) is It can be confirmed that it reaches a maximum of approximately 7.5 dBi at a point where it is about 30°. Additionally, referring to the third graph (905), when the radiation angle of the beam radiated from the antenna (810) is 60°, the gain of the beam refracted while passing through the lens (820) is It can be confirmed that it reaches a maximum of approximately 7.5 dBi at a point where it is approximately 60°. Additionally, referring to the fourth graph (907), when the radiation angle of the beam radiated from the antenna (810) is 82°, the gain of the beam refracted while passing through the lens (820) is It can be confirmed that the gain reaches a maximum of about 6 dBi at a point where the angle is about 82°. Therefore, even if the radiation angle of the beam radiated from the antenna (810) is about 60° or more, the electronic device (800) can form a target value for the beam passing through the lens (820) even at about 60° or more (for example, the difference between the maximum gain value according to the radiation angle and the beam gain value at 0°, where the beam gain is maximum, is within about 6 dBi).

[0141] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 9, an electronic device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure can perform wide-angle beam steering (e.g., a maximum steering angle of about 60° or more) by adjusting the curvature of the inner and outer surfaces of the lens, the refractive index of the dielectric material included in the lens, and the radiation angle of the beam radiated from the antenna as described above.

[0142] According to one embodiment, by considering the curvature of the inner and outer surfaces of the lens and the limits of the refractive index values ​​of the dielectrics inside the lens, the electronic device can control the angle of refraction of the beam radiated outside the lens by controlling the radiation angle of the beam radiated from the antenna. The electronic device can perform wide-angle beam steering by controlling the refraction of the beam radiated outside the lens according to the principles of FIGS. 5 to 7 described above. The method of controlling the radiation angle of the beam radiated from the antenna may vary depending on the type of antenna. For example, a phase array antenna can control the radiation angle by controlling the phase by an electrical signal. As another example, an active lens can control the radiation angle by physically changing the radiation direction of the radiator. Accordingly, the electronic device including the lens according to one embodiment of the present disclosure can be applied regardless of the type of antenna.

[0143] According to another embodiment, the principles of the present disclosure may be applied to the design of a lens included in an electronic device. Considering the limits of the radiation angle of a beam radiated from an antenna, the lens may be designed by adjusting the curvature of the inner and outer surfaces of the lens and the refractive indices of the dielectrics inside the lens. Even if the radiation angle of the beam formed from the antenna is the same, the angle of refraction of the beam radiated to the outside of the lens may vary depending on which lens the beam formed from the antenna is incident on. The electronic device may perform wide-angle beam steering by adjusting the angle of refraction of the beam radiated to the outside of the lens using a lens determined according to the required wide angle.

[0145] Furthermore, compared to conventional integrated lens antenna (ILA) technology that adds a lens to a phase array antenna, the electronic device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is practical because the manufacturing process is simplified and it can be applied to any antenna. In addition, the electronic device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure can form a beam gain similar to that of a non-wide angle even when steering a wide angle beam. For example, when using a lens composed of a single or multiple dielectrics according to conventional ILA technology and having a three-dimensional structure (e.g., spherical, extended hemispherical, elliptical, stepped profile, etc.), wide angle steering is impossible because the maximum steering angle is about 60° or less. However, the electronic device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure enables wide angle steering with a maximum steering angle of about 60° or more and less than about 90° by using a lens composed of a single dielectric. As another example, an electronic device comprising a lens made of a metamaterial according to conventional ILA technology has a maximum steering angle of approximately 90°, enabling wide-angle steering, but is limited to a narrow band, resulting in poor practicality. However, the electronic device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure enables wide-angle steering, and considering the aforementioned <mathematical formulas>, it is highly practical as it can be used regardless of the frequency bandwidth of the beam passing through the lens. As another example, the electronic device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is highly practical as it can be applied to any antenna (e.g., linear phase array antenna, planar phase array antenna, tridimensional phase array antenna, etc.).

[0147] A beamforming device in a wireless communication system according to one embodiment of the present disclosure as described above comprises a phased array antenna, at least one wireless communication circuit, and a lens, wherein the lens comprises a first surface facing a first direction which is a direction toward the phased array antenna and a second surface facing a second direction opposite to the first direction, wherein a first beam radiated from the phased array antenna is refracted through a first point on the first surface, and the first beam forms a first path inside the lens and a second path that passes through the inside of the lens along the first path and is refracted through a second point on the second surface, and the angle of refraction at the second point may be formed depending on the radiation angle of the first beam.

[0148] In one embodiment, the first surface corresponds to one surface of an ellipsoid, and when the radius with the minimum length among the radii of the ellipsoid is called the first radius and the radius with the maximum length is called the second radius, the curvature of the first surface can be changed by a change in the first radius, the second radius, and the radiation angle of the first beam.

[0149] In one embodiment, the second surface corresponds to one surface of a spherical body, and when the radius of the spherical body is referred to as the third radius, the curvature of the second surface may change due to a change in the third radius.

[0150] In one embodiment, the center of the phase array antenna and the center of the lens may be positioned on a straight line.

[0151] In one embodiment, the lens may include a single dielectric having a number of layers.

[0152] In one embodiment, the lens may include a plurality of dielectrics having a plurality of layers.

[0153] In one embodiment, the plurality of dielectrics having the plurality of layers may have different refractive indices.

[0154] In one embodiment, the angle of incidence at the first point may be changed by a change in the radiation angle of the first beam and the curvature of the first surface.

[0155] In one embodiment, the angle of refraction at the first point may be changed by the change in the refractive index of at least one dielectric of the lens and the angle of incidence at the first point.

[0156] In one embodiment, the angle of incidence at the second point may be changed by the change in the angle of refraction at the first point and the curvature of the second surface.

[0157] In one embodiment, the angle of refraction at the second point may be changed by the change in the refractive index of at least one dielectric of the lens and the angle of incidence at the second point.

[0158] In one embodiment, the angle of refraction at the second point may have a value greater than the angle of radiation at the first point.

[0159] In one embodiment, the angle of refraction at the second point may be 60° or more and less than 90°.

[0160] In one embodiment, the phase array antenna may be arranged in a linear array.

[0161] In one embodiment, the phase array antenna may be arranged in a planar array.

[0162] In one embodiment, the phase array antenna may have a three-dimensional (tridimensional) structure.

[0163] In one embodiment, the first radiation angle value of the radiation angle according to the first refraction angle value of the second point is different from the second radiation angle value of the radiation angle according to the second refraction angle value of the second point, and the first refraction angle value may be different from the second refraction angle value.

[0164] In one embodiment, the lens is a first lens and may further include a second lens spaced apart and disposed on the path of the second beam of the first lens.

[0165] In one embodiment, the lens may be configured such that the second path is not parallel to the radiation path of the first beam.

[0166] In one embodiment, a communication unit for adjusting the phase pattern of the phase array antenna may be further included.

[0168] Methods according to the embodiments described in the claims or specification of the present disclosure may be implemented in the form of hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software.

[0169] When implemented in software, a computer-readable storage medium may be provided for storing one or more programs (software modules). One or more programs stored in the computer-readable storage medium are configured for execution by one or more processors within an electronic device. One or more programs include instructions that cause the electronic device to execute methods according to the embodiments described in the claims or specification of this disclosure.

[0170] Such programs (software modules, software) may be stored in random access memory, non-volatile memory including flash memory, read-only memory (ROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), magnetic disc storage devices, compact disc-ROM (CD-ROM), digital versatile discs (DVDs), or other forms of optical storage devices, magnetic cassettes. Alternatively, they may be stored in memory composed of some or all of these. Additionally, each constituent memory may include multiple units.

[0171] Additionally, the program may be stored on an attachable storage device that can be accessed via a communication network such as the Internet, Intranet, LAN (local area network), WAN (wide area network), or SAN (storage area network), or a combination thereof. Such a storage device may be connected to a device performing an embodiment of the present disclosure through an external port. Additionally, a separate storage device on a communication network may be connected to a device performing an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0172] In the specific embodiments of the present disclosure described above, the components included in the disclosure are expressed in a singular or plural form according to the specific embodiments presented. However, the singular or plural expression is selected to suit the situation presented for convenience of explanation, and the present disclosure is not limited to singular or plural components; even if a component is expressed in the plural form, it may be composed of a singular form, and even if a component is expressed in the singular form, it may be composed of a plural form.

[0173] Meanwhile, although specific embodiments have been described in the detailed description of the present disclosure, it is understood that various modifications are possible within the scope of the present disclosure. Therefore, the scope of the present disclosure should not be limited to the described embodiments, but should be defined by the claims set forth below as well as equivalents thereof.

Claims

Claim 1 In a beamforming device for a wireless communication system, a phased array antenna; at least one wireless communication circuit; The lens comprises a first surface facing a first direction which is a direction toward the phase array antenna and a second surface facing a second direction opposite to the first direction, wherein a first beam radiated from the phase array antenna is refracted passing through a first point on the first surface, and the first beam forms a first path inside the lens and a second path that passes through the interior of the lens along the first path and is refracted passing through a second point on the second surface, wherein the angle of refraction at the second point is dependent on the radiation angle of the first beam, wherein the first surface corresponds to one surface of an ellipsoid and the second surface corresponds to one surface of a sphere, wherein the major axis of the ellipsoid of the lens is located on the diameter of the sphere, wherein the phase array antenna is arranged parallel to the minor axis of the ellipsoid, wherein the center of the phase array antenna is located between the two foci of the ellipsoid, wherein the first distance between the center of the phase array antenna and the center of the ellipsoid is smaller than the second distance between the center of the phase array antenna and the center of the sphere, and wherein A beamforming device in which, as the radiation angle of the first beam increases, the distance from the center of the phase array antenna to the first plane decreases and the distance from the center of the phase array antenna to the second plane increases. Claim 2 A beamforming device according to claim 1, wherein the radius with the minimum length among the radii of the ellipsoid is the first radius of the minor axis and the radius with the maximum length is the second radius of the major axis, and the curvature of the first surface is changed by the change in the first radius, the second radius, and the radiation angle of the first beam. Claim 3 A beamforming device according to claim 1, wherein, when the radius of the sphere is referred to as the third radius, the curvature of the second surface changes due to a change in the third radius. Claim 4 A beamforming device according to claim 1, wherein the center of the phase array antenna and the center of the lens are positioned on the major axis. Claim 5 A beamforming device according to claim 1, wherein the lens comprises a single dielectric having a single layer. Claim 6 A beamforming device according to claim 1, wherein the lens comprises a plurality of dielectrics having a plurality of layers. Claim 7 A beamforming device according to claim 6, wherein the plurality of dielectrics having the plurality of layers have different refractive indices. Claim 8 A beamforming device according to claim 6, wherein the angle of incidence at the first point changes due to changes in the radiation angle of the first beam and the curvature of the first surface. Claim 9 A beamforming device according to claim 8, wherein the angle of refraction at the first point changes due to a change in the refractive index of at least one dielectric of the lens and a change in the angle of incidence at the first point. Claim 10 A beamforming device according to claim 9, wherein the angle of incidence at the second point changes due to a change in the angle of refraction at the first point and the curvature of the second surface. Claim 11 A beamforming device according to claim 10, wherein the angle of refraction at the second point changes due to a change in the refractive index of at least one dielectric of the lens and a change in the angle of incidence at the second point. Claim 12 A beamforming device according to claim 1, wherein the angle of refraction at the second point has a value greater than the angle of radiation at the first point. Claim 13 A beamforming device according to claim 12, wherein the angle of refraction at the second point is 60° or more and less than 90°. Claim 14 A beamforming device according to claim 1, wherein the phase array antenna is arranged in a linear array. Claim 15 A beamforming device according to claim 1, wherein the phase array antenna is arranged in a planar array. Claim 16 A beamforming device according to claim 1, wherein the phase array antenna has a three-dimensional (tridimensional) structure. Claim 17 A beamforming device according to claim 1, wherein the first radiation angle value of the radiation angle according to the first refraction angle value of the refraction angle at the second point is different from the second radiation angle value of the radiation angle according to the second refraction angle value of the refraction angle at the second point, and the first refraction angle value is different from the second refraction angle value. Claim 18 delete Claim 19 A beamforming device according to claim 1, wherein the lens is configured such that the second path is not parallel to the radiation path of the first beam. Claim 20 A beamforming device according to claim 1, further comprising a communication unit for adjusting the phase pattern of the phase array antenna.

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